While Dhurandhar, which released in theatres on December 5, is receiving widespread praise and recording strong box office collections, a growing section of viewers has begun calling the film propaganda. One such voice is YouTuber Dhruv Rathee, who recently released a video criticising the film and describing it as propaganda.
Naveen Kaushik Responds to Dhruv Rathee’s Propaganda Controversy
In an interview with Jagran New Media, Naveen Kaushik, who plays Donga in Dhurandhar, reacted to the criticism. When asked about Rathee’s remarks, he said, “Everyone has their own opinion, and he too has his own, which we have no problem with. We are getting more viewers even after his video; in fact, the numbers are increasing. If the film benefits, then what difference does the publicity make, good or bad? His video has already received 15 million views, so I would say welcome, Dhruv Rathee. Your opinion has definitely benefited us.”
What Did Dhruv Rathee Say in His YouTube Video?
On Saturday, Dhruv Rathee uploaded a video on his YouTube channel titled Reality of Dhurandhar. In the video, he criticised the film, calling it “dangerous propaganda” based on lies. Earlier, he had also taken to social media to denounce the film for its excessive violence and gore.
Rathee stated that the main issue with Dhurandhar is its claim of being inspired by real-life events. He pointed out that the trailer includes real footage from the 9/11 attacks, along with audio recordings of alleged conversations between terrorists and their handlers. He further mentioned that the film features real-life gangsters and police officers from Pakistan’s Lyari area.
Allegations of False Narrative
Rathee went on to say that grounding the story in real events makes it “more believable than other spy thrillers like Pathaan or the Tiger films.” However, he described Dhurandhar as “jhootha aur vahiyat propaganda,” accusing filmmaker Aditya Dhar of spreading false narratives through cinema. He added that well-made propaganda can be more harmful, stating that films like The Taj Story and The Bengal Files were not threatening because they were poorly made, whereas Dhurandhar is a compelling film.
Devoleena Bhattacharjee Criticises Dhruv Rathee
Earlier, actress Devoleena Bhattacharjee also criticised Dhruv Rathee in a post on X (formerly Twitter). She wrote, “I try to avoid and ignore your sh**ty videos and tweets. I’m not sure why X received my feedback. Anyways. Stop thinking about Dhurandhar.”
Dhurandhar Box Office Performance
Despite the debates and criticism, Dhurandhar continues to perform strongly at the box office. According to trade website Sacnilk, the film has earned an estimated Rs 589.50 crore in India so far. The second installment of the film is scheduled to release in theatres on March 19, 2026.
